Purpose: The Grammar Key is both a traditional and unique approach to grammar that helps students understand the rules of grammar and transfer those rules to their own writing. How does The Grammar Key work? Since words combined into sentences follow predictable patterns, the aim of The Grammar Key is to first make students aware of these patterns and then help them absorb the rules that describe these patterns; turning grammar into a seamless mechanism they can apply to their own writing. Why Teach Grammar on a Computer? Since grammar is systematic, it can be taught on a computer, and since a computer never gets tired, it can repeat key words and grammatical patterns to the degree that they become internalized in the student’s mind. Words and patterns act as road signs, indicating the direction each sentence takes. For example, the subordinator ”If” at the beginning of a sentence points in a specific direction. When it is internalized, the student—without thinking—knows that an introductory clause follows the word “If”; that a comma follows the introductory clause; that a main clause follows the comma; and that a period follows the main clause: “If” writers internalize key words and patterns, they will begin to write clearly and effortlessly. As more words and patterns become internalized in the student’s mind, this verbal picture—like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle falling into place—becomes clearer and clearer. With twenty students in a class, it is difficult to keep all students attuned to the repetition of these key words and patterns to the degree that they need to be repeated! A computer can and students need to utilize the Grammar Key with a frequency that enables the internalization. How often does a student need to work on Grammar Key: Students need to work through the lessons at least three times a week when it is a “Grammar Week.” Credit is earned by achieving a 98% or above score three times in a week. Students should print out a certificates of completion upon completion of the lesson. At least two of the three scores need to be achieved in school and the certificates printed out at the time of completion. Can students earn credit for Grammar Key work? Three certificates of 98% or above will earn students 99 points in a given week . If a student fails to achieve his or her GrammarKey lesson with the required score of 98% or above, the student may continue studying and practicing GrammarKey for the next week to work. The student may also request extra tutoring; or, request a peer tutor in Academic Lab in order to eventually achieve the required passing score. May parents help students in the completion of a Grammar Key lesson? Yes, of course. Parents are always encouraged to work with the student to help the students better understand assignments. The student, however, should not overly rely on parental intervention without building his or her own knowledge base. Only 1 certificate can be earned at home per Grammar Key lesson. Proof of Completion: Students should always print out the certificate as soon as the passing score is achieved. The certificate is the proof, not the score last logged onto the computer. Sometimes dates and scores fail to save unto log of the system. BYOT and GrammarKey: .Students can certainly access GrammarKey from personal electronic devices, at home or while in school; however, according to BYOT, students will need to open the file on a district-owned device and get permission from a staff member to print out the certificate of completion.
Does doing GrammarKey suffice for grammar instruction? Classroom instruction will continue during the “Grammar Week.” GrammarKey should be regarded as the equivalent of practicing musical scales on an instrument. Students will continue to receive worksheets and use a workbook, to reinforce the classroom instruction.
Grammar Key Policy
Purpose: The Grammar Key is both a traditional and unique approach to grammar that helps students understand the rules of grammar and transfer those rules to their own writing.
How does The Grammar Key work? Since words combined into sentences follow predictable patterns, the aim of The Grammar Key is to first make students aware of these patterns and then help them absorb the rules that describe these patterns; turning grammar into a seamless mechanism they can apply to their own writing.
Why Teach Grammar on a Computer? Since grammar is systematic, it can be taught on a computer, and since a computer never gets tired, it can repeat key words and grammatical patterns to the degree that they become internalized in the student’s mind.
Words and patterns act as road signs, indicating the direction each sentence takes. For example, the subordinator ”If” at the beginning of a sentence points in a specific direction. When it is internalized, the student—without thinking—knows that an introductory clause follows the word “If”; that a comma follows the introductory clause; that a main clause follows the comma; and that a period follows the main clause: “If” writers internalize key words and patterns, they will begin to write clearly and effortlessly.
As more words and patterns become internalized in the student’s mind, this verbal picture—like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle falling into place—becomes clearer and clearer.
With twenty students in a class, it is difficult to keep all students attuned to the repetition of these key words and patterns to the degree that they need to be repeated! A computer can and students need to utilize the Grammar Key with a frequency that enables the internalization.
How often does a student need to work on Grammar Key: Students need to work through the lessons at least three times a week when it is a “Grammar Week.” Credit is earned by achieving a 98% or above score three times in a week. Students should print out a certificates of completion upon completion of the lesson. At least two of the three scores need to be achieved in school and the certificates printed out at the time of completion.
Can students earn credit for Grammar Key work? Three certificates of 98% or above will earn students 99 points in a given week . If a student fails to achieve his or her GrammarKey lesson with the required score of 98% or above, the student may continue studying and practicing GrammarKey for the next week to work. The student may also request extra tutoring; or, request a peer tutor in Academic Lab in order to eventually achieve the required passing score.
May parents help students in the completion of a Grammar Key lesson? Yes, of course. Parents are always encouraged to work with the student to help the students better understand assignments. The student, however, should not overly rely on parental intervention without building his or her own knowledge base. Only 1 certificate can be earned at home per Grammar Key lesson.
Proof of Completion: Students should always print out the certificate as soon as the passing score is achieved. The certificate is the proof, not the score last logged onto the computer. Sometimes dates and scores fail to save unto log of the system.
BYOT and GrammarKey: .Students can certainly access GrammarKey from personal electronic devices, at home or while in school; however, according to BYOT, students will need to open the file on a district-owned device and get permission from a staff member to print out the certificate of completion.
Does doing GrammarKey suffice for grammar instruction? Classroom instruction will continue during the “Grammar Week.” GrammarKey should be regarded as the equivalent of practicing musical scales on an instrument. Students will continue to receive worksheets and use a workbook, to reinforce the classroom instruction.